Bayley F. Mason Vice-Presidential Papers, 1971-1974
| Oberlin College Archives
Administrative/Biographical History
Bayley Frederick Mason (b.1929), the son of Herbert P. and Ethel P. Mason was born in Lynn, Massachusetts. He received his B.A. from Harvard in 1951 cum laude and attended Harvard Law School for a year before being called to active duty in the U.S. Naval Reserve during the Korean War.
In 1954, Mason married Wellesley College graduate, Edith Elizabeth Harwood; and this marriage produced three children, Beverly (b. 1956), Stephen (b. 1959) and Christopher (b. 1964). In addition to being a wonderful companion and mother, his wife, Edith, played an active role socially throughout his career as well.
Mason returned to Harvard in 1956 and studied in the Graduate School of Public Administration, prior to joining the Harvard Defense Studies Program as research assistant. From 1957-1960 he was research associate and project director with the Boston management consulting firm of Harbridge House, Inc.
Harvard beckoned again in 1960 when Mason became an assistant manager of the Program for Harvard Medical School. Mason was the chief assistant to the program manager and director of public relations. Professionally Mason prospered in this environment--growing from an assistant to the dean of Resources in 1965, to assistant dean in 1966 and, finally, to associate dean in 1969.
In 1971, Mason accepted the position of the Administrative vice-president under Oberlin College President Robert W. Fuller (b. 1936). Mason's eastern connections, along with his mainstream, friendly and practical manner probably made him an ideal appointee in this newly restructured post in the college administration. His responsibilities included the generation and management of college resources and the supervision of administrative operations of the business office, development and public relations, and the coordination of these with alumni affairs.
Following Robert Fuller's (b.1936) announced resignation as President in the fall of 1973 and the naming of Ellsworth C. Carlson (b. 1917) as Acting President in 1974, Mason resigned and accepted a position as Vice President for Resources at Boston University. Mason, his wife, Edith E. Harwood, and their three children now reside in Boston, Massachusetts.
Author: Lisa Hicks Subjects (links to similar collections) Administrative Information
The research materials contained in this collection illustrate the changing role the Vice-President played in the administration of Oberlin College from 1971 to 1974. Arranged chronologically and alphabetically, it consists of four series: I. Chronological Files of the Office of the Vice President; II. General Files Relating to the Office of Vice President; III. Miscellaneous Files Relating to Associations and IV. Miscellaneous Files Relating to the Oberlin Community and Community Affairs.
Series I, II and III contain information on a number of topics, including the status of women in higher education, affirmative action, funds restricted for use by women, and student life. One file contains biographical data on participants of a program for Native American women students. The Placement and Graduate Counsel's Report (1971-1973), the Class of 1973 Occupational Summary, and an Occupational Summary of College and Conservatory graduates for the years 1968 to 1973, also contain useful statistical data.
In addition, series IV, Miscellaneous Files Relating to the Oberlin Community and Community Affairs, consists of research materials relating to the community of Oberlin and some about its town-gown relations, which include the Oberlin Women's Service Center, Oberlin Public Schools, Community Improvement Corporation, and the Oberlin Growth Association.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Series I. Chronological Files of the Office of the Vice-President, 1971-1974 (2.1 l.f.)
This series consists of four subseries: 1. Chronological Files--General, 2. Academic Departments and Programs, 3. Commissions, Committees, Councils, etc. and 4. Miscellaneous Administrative Files.
Subseries 1. Chronological Files--General
These folders contain correspondence and research materials that were filed according to chronology unlike the rest of the collection which is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Subseries 2. Academic Departments and Programs
Arranged alphabetically, this subseries contains files documenting departmental activities in relation to Physical Education, the College of Arts and Sciences, East Asian Studies, Off-Campus Studies and Winter Term.
Subseries 3. Commissions, Committees, Councils, etc.
Included are correspondence from the Committee on Faculty Service, the Institute on Racism, the Oberlin College Teacher's Association and the Status of Women at Oberlin College.
Subseries 4. Miscellaneous Administrative Files
Alphabetical arrangement of files relating to various aspects of the Vice-President's duties and concerns such as the budget, legal matters, trip itineraries and the construction and/or rehabilitation of campus buildings.
Series II. General Files Relating to the Office of Vice-President, 1971-1974 (5.4 l.f.)
Administrative files, alphabetically arranged, document correspondence between the Vice-President and several Oberlin College offices, including Admissions, the Alumni Association, Development, Finance and Business Operations, Personnel, the Provost, the Registrar, Security and Student Life. Correspondence and inter-office memoranda from trustee Charles A. Mosher (1906-1984) is also located in this series. The files are not individually dated in the inventory because they span the full period (1971-74) of Mason's Vice-Presidency for the most part.
Series III. Miscellaneous Files Relating to Associations, 1971-1974 (0.4 l.f)
This series consists of correspondence from various associations including the Ohio College Association, Great Lakes Colleges Association, and Oberlin Shansi Memorial Association concerning College votes on various issues.
Series IV. Miscellaneous Files Relating to the Oberlin Community and Community Affairs, 1971-1974, (0.4 l.f.)
Issues effecting town-gown relations are documented in series IV. In addition, research materials dealing with groups like the Oberlin Women's Service Center, Oberlin Summer Music Theater, the Oberlin Growth Association and the Oberlin Public Schools also comprise this series.